Work Truck Show breaks records

April 1, 2006
THE WORK TRUCK SHOW 2006 and 42nd Annual National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) Convention broke records for number of exhibitors, number of chassis

THE WORK TRUCK SHOW 2006 and 42nd Annual National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) Convention broke records for number of exhibitors, number of chassis unveilings, new-product launches, and the amount of space sold for next year.

The show, which was held March 1-3 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, included 7091 attendees. They took advantage of the opportunity to meet with industry suppliers, participate in 35 educational sessions, and see the latest developments in commercial trucks and transportation equipment from Classes 1 through 8.

The show featured unveilings from four leading chassis manufacturers, including Dodge, Sterling Truck Corp, Mitsubishi Fuso Truck of America, and Toyota.

“The event was a major success on all levels,” said Robert Green, NTEA president and president of Robert Green Truck Inc in Rock Hill, New York.

There were 471 exhibitors, up from 457 last year, and 83 new products launched, up from 60 last year. Leasing attendance increased 58%, truck dealer attendance increased 112%, and there was a 30% increase in the number of fleet attendees that had more than 100 trucks in their fleet compared to the last Atlanta show in 2003 (72%, up from 42%.) The NTEA is projecting net sales of 190,000 square feet of exhibit space for next year's show, set for March 7-9 at the Indiana Convention Center & RCA Dome in Indianapolis — which would break the record of 179,300.

Knaack Mfg Co (Crystal Lake, Illinois) and MGM Brakes (Charlotte, North Carolina) tied for the New Product Innovation Award. Knaack Mfg won the award for its new line of WEATHER GUARD steel truck boxes with improved features that enhance job site security and productivity. MGM Brakes won for its e-STROKE electronic brake monitoring system that offers a patented braking alternative.

The Work Truck Show Editors' Choice Award went to Sterling Truck Corporation for its low cab-over-the-engine truck that will be available at select dealerships across North America this spring. For more details, visit “Industry Marketplace” on www.ntea.com and click on “The Work Truck Show.”

“We strongly expect that next year's event in Indianapolis will be even more successful,” said Tom Rawson, 2007 Convention Chairman and CEO of RKI Inc of Houston, Texas. “We are excited to be in the Indiana Convention Center and RCA Dome next year. More than 90% of floor space is already sold for 2007.”

Part of the growing demand for floor space comes from new exhibitors. Seventy-five companies were first-time Work Truck Show exhibitors in 2006.

“We are pleased to maintain a solid base of exhibitors that have gotten excellent results from the show each year,” NTEA executive director Jim Carney said. “We also are attracting a growing number of companies that recognize the unique opportunities The Work Truck Show offers to reach a wide range of high-ranking decision-makers in the industry.”

Other Work Truck Show 2006 highlights included:

  • A keynote address delivered by former Secretary of State Colin L Powell, who spoke to a packed room of more than 1700 attendees during the President's Breakfast and NTEA Annual Meeting on March 2.

  • Thirty-five industry-specific training and educational sessions, including a one-day Fleet Management Symposium. The event also featured 16 new, 20-minute training theater sessions on the show floor.

  • Exhibits from 15 of the world's leading truck chassis manufacturers. Eight manufacturers presented informational update sessions on chassis specifications, design and body installation.

Registration begins in October for next year's show.

About the Author

Rick Weber | Associate Editor

Rick Weber has been an associate editor for Trailer/Body Builders since February 2000. A national award-winning sportswriter, he covered the Miami Dolphins for the Fort Myers News-Press following service with publications in California and Australia. He is a graduate of Penn State University.